WITH VIDEO Independence Township senior unconscious after fire destroys home

Independece Township Firefighters and Oakland County Sheriff's Deputies on the scene of a house fire on Clintonville Road, north of I-75 in Independence Township. Tuesday, May 7, 2013 The Oakland Press/TIM THOMPSON

Oakland County fire investigators are still trying to determine what caused a Tuesday morning house fire in Independence Township that sent a senior citizen to the hospital.

The call was reported to the Independence Township Fire Department around 7:11 a.m. Smoke was coming out of a home at 6000 block of Clintonville Road, officials said. Firefighters arrived at 7:18.

"It was reported by a passer-by who saw smoke coming from the roof," said Independence Fire Capt. Tom McDonald, thick, black soot covering his face. "He stopped, called 9-1-1 and knocked on the door."

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Family members -- who live next door -- told firefighters that there was an occupant inside. Officials were able to get the woman, who is in her early 80s, from the home. By that time, she was unconscious, McDonald said. She was quickly taken to an area hospital.

While the exterior of the home appeared intact, McDonald said the soot that was on his face covered the entire inside of the home. It was destroyed by the flames.

The woman's son was on the scene after the fire was extinguished, seemingly shaken up. He had already left for work, but returned when he learned his mother's house had caught fire. He was not available for comment.

Waterford and Brandon Township firefighters -- along with four Oakland County Sheriff's patrol cars -- also came to the scene to assist.

Preliminary investigations indicate that the fire originated in the living room area of the home.

While officials at the scene said they learned the woman had not regained consciousness in the hospital as of 8:30 a.m., they were unable to provide further updates.

Later Tuesday, hospital personnel were considering transferring the woman to another hospital, said Independence Township fire officials.